Throughout fall camp, LetsGoPeay.com will take a look at each of the position groups as the Austin Peay State University football team goes through preparations for the 2021 season. The position previews continue with the linebacker corps.

Sorry opposing offenses… they're back. Linebackers Jack McDonald and Troy Henderson Jr. – who combined for 128 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks – return as the "old guys" on an Austin Peay defense that enters year two under newly-minted assistant head coach and still defensive coordinator Chris Kappas and linebackers coach Mark Powell.

And given our brief introduction to the Kappas defensive method in the spring, this defense is going to be as fun to watch as the Govs' offense. A quick, amorphous, ever-changing beast this defense epitomizes the "Fast. Fearless. Physical." mantra pervading the Governors locker room.

"Our goal is always to be aggressive and to dictate what the pace is going to be and keep the offense on its heels," said Kappas. "While changing up the look, it's still a balanced defense where we can blitz two or three guys off either side at any time while also being able to match up personnel with the offense.

"We held back a little bit to make sure we got the ins and outs of our base defenses in. There is a lot more in the tank that will come out. The players seem so much more comfortable with what we're doing. The spring season, I would take that over a spring practice every year. Being able to play that many weeks and get the defense installed… that was priceless."

More in the tank? Uh-oh.

For the purposes of this position preview, we'll say there are three linebacker positions. Are there really? That is for opposing defenses to decode in the 25 seconds they have to do so before each snap.

For sure, there are two inside linebacker spots and as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, there will be No. 0 and No. 18 there waiting. And don't worry, behind them are six more Governors who Kappas and Powell believe will be able to fill those shoes if they aren't on the field.

The staff here at LetsGoPeay.com would certainly argue that Henderson and McDonald, while receiving their accolades locally and in the conference, are overlooked nationally. In two seasons at linebacker, McDonald has posted 186 tackles and his 7.75 tackles per game in those two seasons (he played tight end as a freshman) would be 18th-best among active linebackers in the FCS. Meanwhile, Henderson quickly established his name with 58 tackles in his first season with the Govs. And Powell was effusive (as much as a linebackers coach can be) about his top two inside linebackers.

 "Jack's done a really good job bringing the young guys along," said Powell. "I believe he understands that's his role now – he's the old guy in the room – and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. You look at him and think there's no way this kid is that good as he is and day in and day out he makes plays. He works day in and day out like he hasn't arrived and that's the best part about him.

"Troy has been doing a really good job in camp. You know he's going to be your guy, your box backer, and he's going to roll downhill. He's going to fit, he knows the checks, he's vocal."

While those two rarely missed a snap in the spring, there is plenty of depth at the position this fall. Behind McDonald are freshman Josh Rudolph and sophomores Sam Howard and Nick Carozza.

"The guy that has come along fast is the true freshman Josh Rudolph," said Powell. "He was as advertised. He's going to strike you, play downhill, and run to every single football. He's a high-motor kid that's going to be hard to keep off the field. After that, Sam Howard has done a great job… he's more on the Troy side of box backer. Nick Carozza – you saw him (Tuesday) and he bit and he was tackling. It was great to see him on the field. He's athletic and can run and do some great things."

On the other side of the formation, Henderson has junior Brandon Lopes and sophomores Conner Murphy and Antoine Williams.

"Brandon Lopes is doing a really good job and knows both inside spots as well," Powell said. "We've got to see him cut loose, that's the biggest thing with him. He's always in the right spot and plays hard but you've just got to make plays.

"Conner Murphy has come along in a fast way. Seeing him this fall after everything he's been through – he's athletic, he can run. Antoine Williams earned a scholarship and is one of the smartest guys in my room."

There is depth at inside linebacker, lots of depth. And don't believe for a moment that McDonald and Henderson are resting on their laurels. The six guys behind them aren't content and the Powell is monitoring his room every day.

"With how we practice and how we play it's so fast guys get reps day in and day out," said Powell. "We grade practice, make cut ups… our depth chart moves every day. If there's a day when you don't show up and you're a two… now you're a three cause the next guy is going."

Now that the two inside spots are spoken for, let's move over to the outside linebacker – or boundary linebacker as Kappas referred to the spot in our conversation. It's home to a group of athletes who hail from different positions on the field, whether its defensive line or linebacker. Certainly, it's not home to a group that largely was recruited to play outside linebacker. However, the group of four: graduate linebacker Hunter Scholato, junior defensive lineman Darryl Rogan, sophomore defensive lineman Hosea Knifeley Jr., and freshman linebacker Jackson Griner are adapting well to their new home.

"It was different for some of those guys, because they're playing with a little bit more space," said Kappas. "Some were recruited to be stand up defensive ends and rush the passer and some are playing linebacker and they're going to be used to rush the passer but they're learning pass drops. At that position we have a multitude of different types of players – we have the defensive end type, we have the linebacker type guy and some of the larger safety types."

Scholato is the "old man" of the group, entering his fifth season in the red and white. A kick coverage regular in his first four seasons, he is lining up to see his first significant time on defense. Then there is Rogan, who played in all 15 games during the Govs 2019 championship season but was limited to three games in 2020. Knifeley saw action in the 2020 opener against Central Arkansas but then had an opportunity to absorb what Kappas and Powell were cooking up on defense.

"We got a really good group from top to bottom, some guys who show some promise that they're going to help us this season," said Kappas. "Hunter, who has moved there from inside because of the depth we have at inside, is an experienced guy that's going to know his job and is a good tackler. Doc (Darryl) is really long and can move. He's the one who's starting to get a real feel for it. I don't think it clicked for him in the spring. It took some time but he has some confidence in himself.

"Hosea is a big physical guy who's going to help us stop the run but he's athletic enough to cover a back and play man-to-man. Jackson Griner is a guy we think of the world of and whose ceiling is really high. Has a great natural feel, more of a high school quarterback who also played defensive in a similar role and now is able to focus more on one side of the ball."

Now, to be fair this is a group that didn't see a ton of playing time in 2020, Scholato's nine games is more than the other three combined played last season. But watching this group in practice proves there is a hunger to change that storyline and that they have the ability to make a difference on the field.

So while defense's are keeping a wary eye on Henderson and McDonald, Governors fans should know there are plenty of disruptors backing that duo up. The depth, competitiveness and athleticism of this group of linebackers will likely be the envy of the Governors peers this season.

Returnees
Jack McDonald (9 games, 70 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT)
Troy Henderson Jr. (9 games, 58 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks)
Hunter Scholato (9 games, 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL)
Brandon Lopes (9 games, 7 tackles)
Sam Howard (5 games, 1 tackle)
Nick Carozza (4 games)
Antoine Williams (3 games, 1 tackle)
Darryl Rogan (3 games)
Hosea Knifely Jr. (1 game)
Conner Murphy (1 game)

Newcomers
Josh Rudolph
Jackson Griner